Lucy Mary

Photo by Jeff Sheldon on Unsplash

Iceland's best-kept secrets reward those willing to stray from the main road. Stuðlagil Canyon in East Iceland, for instance, remained largely unknown until hydropower works lowered the river level and exposed its extraordinary basalt columns rising from a turquoise river. 

Further west, the Gljúfrabúi waterfall hides behind a narrow canyon wall just a short walk from the far more famous Seljalandsfoss, offering the same curtain of water with a fraction of the crowd. The remote Hornstrandir Nature Reserve in the Westfjords, accessible only by boat, draws hikers looking for true solitude and one of the last wild habitats of the Arctic fox. 

Reykjavík captures most visitors' attention, but Iceland's regional identity runs far deeper. Small fishing communities along the Eastfjords maintain a quieter, more traditional pace of life, with local craft shops, community events, and kitchens serving hákarl and skyr in their original context instead of as tourist novelties. Venturing into these areas during local festivals, particularly in late summer, offers a window into Icelandic society that a city weekend simply cannot provide. 

Photo by Einar H. Reynis on Unsplash

It is worth noting that in 2024, the Icelandic Tourist Board joined the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, committing to internationally recognised standards that are gradually shaping how the whole country approaches visitor experience. 

For those who want something genuinely unusual, Iceland delivers in remarkable ways. Snorkelling the Silfra Fissure in Þingvellir National Park places you in a glacial rift between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates, with water visibility of up to 100 metres, which is some of the clearest anywhere on earth. 

Night glacier hikes on Sólheimajökull offer an otherworldly experience under the midnight sun or, in winter, beneath the northern lights. Volcano tours on the Reykjanes Peninsula, where fresh eruptions have reshaped the landscape in recent years, round out an adventure itinerary unlike anything else in Europe. 

Slow travel is popular in Iceland, and the country rewards it. Eco-conscious journeys through the Snæfellsnes Peninsula or the Westfjords allow travellers to engage with fragile ecosystems responsibly, sticking to marked trails and supporting local operators. According to Icelandic Mountain Guides, Iceland's moss-covered landscapes can take decades or even centuries to recover from damage, making travel with caution quite essential. For coastal access, an Iceland cruise that provides access to remote fjords, dramatic cliff coastlines, and otherwise unreachable shoreline communities offers a genuinely distinctive perspective on the country. 

Iceland has always been more than its postcard highlights. Approach it with curiosity and a willingness to look beyond the obvious, and it will consistently exceed expectations. Whether you spend an afternoon snorkelling between continents, lose yourself in a hidden canyon, or trace a remote fjord coastline by ship, the country rewards genuine exploration.